Casino 'has caused chaos'

PLANS to create a super-casino in Manchester have left the government in a state of `chaos and confusion', the Tories claim. Shadow culture minister Anne Milton said the Cabinet was divided over what to do after the Lords voted down the order to bring in the new Las-Vegas style complex as well as 16 smaller casinos.

PLANS to create a super-casino in Manchester have left the government in a state of `chaos and confusion', the Tories claim.

Shadow culture minister Anne Milton said the Cabinet was divided over what to do after the Lords voted down the order to bring in the new Las-Vegas style complex as well as 16 smaller casinos.

She told the Commons at Question Time: "It would appear the retiring prime minister wants two regional casinos, the Secretary of State Tessa Jowell wants one, the prime minister-in-waiting wants none at all.

"I wonder if you will put an end to the chaos and confusion and confirm that we will only have one regional casino."

Ms Jowell said there will be `no further' regional casinos after the first until the government had evaluated its impact on the area.

She said: "There is no mess, there is no confusion, except by virtue of the unsuccessful attempts of the Opposition

Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Manchester Blackley and a former leader of Manchester Council, said the Commons decision was `unambiguous' and it should `impose its will' on the Lords.

Earlier, Andrew Mackay, Tory MP for Bracknell, urged ministers to split the plans for the super-casino in Manchester from the proposals for 16 smaller casinos.